Rotary engine.



No. 763,963. y PATENTED. JULY 5, 1904.

. L. H. COBB.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED PEB. 14, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented July '5, 1904.

PATENT OEEICE.

LYMAN H. COBB, OAF PORTLAND, MAINE, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN JAHN, JR., OF RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA.

ROTARY ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 763,963, dated July 5, 1904.

Application filed February 14, 1903. Serial No. 1413.335. (No model.)

To all whom, t Wawy concern:

Be it known that I, LYMAN H. COBB, a citi- Zen of the United States of America,- and a resident of Portland, Cumberland county, State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rotary Engines, of which the following is a specification. Y

My invention relates to rotary engines, such as are used with steam, compressed air, or 1o other like power; but it is more particularly designed to be used as a steam-engine.

The desirability of an engine of the rotary type has long been known, and many attempts have been made to construct such an engine which would successfully perform the work required of a steam-engine; but sofar as I know no engine of this type has yet come into common use. Among the many difliculties which others have encountered in design- 2o ing engines of this type are the complication of parts, excessive wearing-surfaces,the difticulty of keeping the pistons tight, the wasteful use of steam owing to the fact that it could not well be used expansively, and others z 5 too numerous to mention. I have sought to overcome these difficulties by means of my present invention, which consists, in its preferred form, of an approximately spherical casing, in which is rotatablyT mounted a cen- 3o tral sphere or ball, and between the sphere and casing a pair of rotating disks or pistons, which have bearings at opposite sides of the casing and nicely lit the ball loosely supported between their centers, said disks being' ar- 3 5 ranged out of axial alinement with each other, so that their conical edges or surfaces shall bear against each other at one point in their circumference, and thereby form aiiuid-cham# ber extending entirely around the casing and 40 tapering in opposite directions from a point opposite the point of contact of said conical faces, and a series of two or more blades or partitions carried by the pistons and having their side edges engaging and working in ra- 4`5 dial slots in the said conical faces of the pistons, a suitable shaft or shafts being centrally attached to the pistons and journaled in the casing, whereby when a suitable motive fluid is admitted to the fluid-cham ber the pressure of the fluid upon the blades and the inclined or conical faces of the pistons will impart a continuous rotary movement to the pistons and carry with them the blades, thereby transmitting said motion to the shafts. When the device is used as a pump or an air-compressor, 5 5 (to which use it is capable of being put under certain circumstances,) power isl applied to one or both of said shafts, and as the parts rotate the liquid or air is drawn in at one side of the motor and forced out at the opposite side or some other convenient point. By this arrangement, as will hereinafter appear, I am enabled to use the steam expansively,-l get along with few moving parts, there are no heavy thrusts on wearing parts, and the engine is very simple and little liable to get out of order. f

I illustrate my invention by means of the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a central longitudinal section with half of the piston in elevation. Fig. 2 is a like section on the line .fc n; of Fig. l'. Fig. 3 is an elevation of one-half of the chamber 5 and one disk, showing the engine separated in the center. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing 75 the motion of the piston. Fig. 5 is a section' showingthe steam-chest. Fig. 6 is a detail of the diaphragm. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of one of the rotating disks, and Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the same. 8O

A and B represent two rotating disks having conical faces which abut so that they are always in contact on a line from the center to the upper edge. As here shown, the line of contact extends from the center to the upper 3 5 edge. Theaxes of rotation of the two disks, in consequence ofthe contacting of the two conical faces, are located at an angle with each other. The journal a of the disk A is, as here shown, horizontal, and itis journaled in a box d and constitutes the main shaft of the eng'ine carrying the fly-wheel c2, although such a wheel is not necessary. The disks rotate in a suitable chamber or casing, here shown as the spherical chamber C, formed in two parts. and bolted together. The journal-bearing b connects with the chamber C and forms a bearing for the journal Z) of the disk B. A

shoulder fr." is formed on the back side of the disk A, and this shoulder runs in contact with a suitable bearing-surface formed in the chamber C, provided with a packing-ring c. A similar shoulder 7)* is formed in the back side of the disk B, with a similar bearing-surface.

Steam is admitted between the disks on one side of the line of contact through the steampipe s and steam-port S, and the steam-pressure is exerted on a double transverse diaphragm interposed between the disks and extending across the steam-space formed between them. This steam space or chamber begins at the point of contact and continues around to the same point, g'radually enlarging until it reaches the bottom, where it attains its greatest width, and tapering from the point to the steam end and to the exhaust end of the chamber. (See Fig. 4L.) The diaphragm, as here shown, is a two-blade diaphragm or wing E, formed in two halves longitudinally and hinged together at e, the joint being, as here shown, equally distant at all points from each disk. The ends of the diaphragm fit the spherical surface of the chamber and may be packed in any well-known manner. Each half or blade of the diaphragm E is contained in a radial slot fr?, Figs. 7 and 8, in one of the disks, and as the disks turn the two blades or halves of the diaphragm slide in the slots in and out as the portions of the disks adjacent to the diaphragm approach and recede.

Vvlhile the conical surfaces roll smoothly on each other when the opposing slots come together, there would be a tendency for the edges of the slots to strike each other as if there was a square place in the conical surface. For this reason I insert a bearing member between the disks to hold them against approaching nearer than their normal position. As here shown, I make use of a ball (I, which lits recesses at the center of the disks and of the two parts of the diaphragm and tends to hold the disks apart.

Steam is admitted, as stated, through the steam-port S, Fig. 3, and the exhaust passes out through the exhaust-port H and the pipe /t and the auxiliary exhaust-port f, which connects by a pipe f', Fig. 2, with the exhaustport proper.

In Fig. 5 I show the steam-chest with the main steam-port and the steamways s' and s2 for conveying live steam back of the two disks. A steam-pressure is thus exerted on the backs of the disks, tending to force them together, while the pressure of steam between them tends to force them apart, and thus the disks are balanced, so that no considerable thrust is exerted on any lof the bearings.

The operation of my machine is as follows, reference being had to the diagram Fig. 4, in which the dotted lines show the several positions ofthe diaphragm. vW hen the double diaphragm reaches the position a the engine takes the steam from the steam-port a, and as the disks revolve the steam-space enlarges rapidly, so that the boiler-pressure will not follow the rapidly-moving diaphragm far; but the diaphragm will draw away, causing the steam to expand. When the double diaphragm has moved onehundred and eighty degrees to the position L the steam is cut olf, and we then have a body of steam extending within the steam -space from a. c to and expanding' against the larger surface and against the smaller surface a. and also against the conical faces of the pistons thus exposed, thus tending to force the diaphragm ahead by the expansion of the steam. As soon as the steamport is passed steam is again admitted, and we have boiler-pressure on one blade of the diaphragm and on the other blade, as just explained, the expanding' steam which has been cut oif. 7e thus have, in effect, a compound engine, with the live steam from the boiler and the expanding steam both acting' at the same time on the diaphragm. The expanding steam continues to act until the diaphragm reaches the horizontal position, as shown at (Z c, when the front and rear surfaces are equal and the effect of the expanding steam on the two halves of the diaphragm is equalized and no more power is derived from the expandingsteam. W hen this point is reached, the auxiliary exhaust-port f being open, the confined steam is here partially exhausted, the exhaust continuing until the main exhaustport H is passed, when live steam is again admitted, and so on. Thus it will be seen that we first take steam at boiler-pressure, then expand it before it is eut off, and then after it is cut off and a new charge is acting we continue to expand the confined steam through nearly a quarter of a revolution.

YIt will be seen that there are few moving parts and no heavy strain except the pressure on the diaphragm, which has but a small sliding motion and a large surface to slide on.

The engine is adapted to high speed. There are no moving' valves, and it is adapted to run with little wear and few repairs. lt is well adapted for ruiming' dynamos and for automobiles on account of its simplicity.

It is evident that many changes and modifications may be made while keeping within the limits of my invention.

It is obvious that any suitable means may be employed to guide the two-bladed diaphragm and keep its pivotal pin a always in the center of the oppositely-tapering fluidchamber---that is, equally distant at all points from each disk; but Ipreferthemeans shown, which consists of the annular cam-like conical bearing-surfaces a, formed around the shaftopening in each half of the casing, upon which conical surfaces will loosely run the side edges fr of the blades. These conical surfaces are arranged eccentrically to the respective shaft openings or axes in view of the fact that the bearing ends or edges a" of the blades are IOO IIO

caused to move in an eccentric path around the respective shaft-axes.

l claimy l. ln a rotary engine, the combination of a pair of rotating' disks having' abutting' conical faces, a chamber in which said disks rotate, radial slots in opposite disks, a diaphragm fitting' each pair of opposite slots and connecting' said disks, and ports in the chamber between the disks.

2. In a rotary eng'ine, the combination of a pair of rotating' disks vhaving' abutting conical faces, a spherical chamber in which said disks rotate, radial slots in opposite disks, a diaphragm fitting in each pair of opposite slots and connecting' said disks and ports in the chamber betweenthe disks.

3. In a rotary engine, the combination of a pair of rotating' disks having abutting' conical faces, a spherical chamber in which said disks rotate, radial slots in said disks, a flexible diaphragm fitting in said slots and connecting' said disks and ports in the chamber between the disks.

l. In a rotary eng'ine, the combination of a pair of rotating disks, having' abutting conical faces, a spherical chamber in which said disks rotate, radial slots in said disks, iiexible diaphragms fitting in said slots and connecting' said disks from one side of said chamber to the other and ports in the chamber between the disks.

5. In a rotary engine, the combination of a pair of rotating' disks having abutting conical faces, a spherical chamber in which said disks rotate, radial slots in said disks, a diaphragm fittingin each pair of opposite slots having' two parts hinged together and ports in the chamber between the disks.'

6. In a rotary engine, the combination of a pair of rotating' disks having' abutting' conical faces, a spherical chamber in which said disks rotate, radial slots in said disks, a flexible diaphragm in each pair of opposite slots, a bearing' member inserted between the centers of said disks to hold them apart and suitable ports.

7. ln a rotary engine, the combination of a pair of rotating' disks having' conical abutting' faces, a spherical chamber in which said disks rotate radial slots in said disks extending from one edge to the other, flexible diaphragms in said slots a bearing-ball surrounded by said diaphrag'ms and interposed between the center of said disks and suitable ports.

8. ln a rotary engine,-the combination of a pair of rotating' disks having abutting conical faces, a chamber in which said disks rotate, radial slots in said disks, a diaphragm fitting' each pair of opposite slots and connecting said disks, ports in said chamber between the disks and steam-ports for admitting steam behind said disks.

9. In a rotary engine, the combination of a' pair of rotating' disks having' abutting' conical faces, a chamber in which said disks rotate, radial slots in opposite disks, a diaphragm litting each pair of opposite slots and connecting said disks, ports in said chamber between the disks and journals for said disks.

l0. In a rotary engine, the combination of a spherical casing, provided with inlet and outlet ports, a pair of hemispherical disks fitting within thc casing and arranged at opposite sides thereof and having' their edg'es beveled outward'and their inner faces provided with concavities, a ball fitting' and rotating in said concavities, a series of radial diaphragms resting' loosely on the ball and working in coincident slots in said beveled edg'es, said edges coming in contact at one point in their circumference and being' separated throughout the remainder of their circumference, thereby forming' an oppositely-tapering' Huid-chamber across which the diaphragms extend and form compartments and a power-shaft attached to one of said hemispherical disks and extending out through the casing.

11. In combination with a spherical casing provided with suitable inlet and outlet ports, a pair of rotatable hemispherical disks fitting within the casing and arranged at opposite sides thereof and at an angle to each other, an

independent rotatable ball litting and working within concavities formed in the inner faces of said hemispherical disks and a series of radial diaphragms extending' across the annular space formed between the edges of said hemispherical disks and thereby dividing the same into fluid-compartments and a power-shaft connected to one of said hemispherical disks.

12. In combination with a casing provided with suitable inlet and outlet ports, a pair of rotatable disks fitting' within the casing at opposite sides thereof and having their axes of rotation and their` adjacent edg'es at an angle to each other, a rotatable part connecting said two disks at their centers and being supported thereon, a series of spaced radial diaphragms extending' across the annular space formed between the edgesof said disks and dividing' the same into fluid-compartments, and a rotatable power-shaft connected to one of said disks.

13. In combination with a casing provided withsuitable inlet and outlet ports, a pair of rotatable disks fitting within the casing at opposite sides thereof and having their axes of rotation and their adjacent edges at an angle toeach other, a rotatable part connecting said two disks at their centers and being' supported thereon and rotatable therewith, a series of spaced radial diaphrag'ms extending' across the oppositely-tapering' annular space formed between the edges of said disks and dividing the same into huid-compartments, said diaphragms extending into slots in the edges of said disks so as to have a sliding connection therewith, and a power-shaft connected to at least one of said disks.

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14. The combination of means forming an annular' closed Huid-chamber, this chamber being tapering in opposite directions, an exhaust-port at one side of the widest part of this chamber and an inlet-port at the opposite side thereof, rotary means carrying a series of two-part folding' diaphragms extending across the fluid-chamber and dividing the same into compartments and a shaft attached to the rotary means.

15. The combination of means forming an annular closed 'fluid-chamber, this chamber being tapered in opposite directions an exhaust-port at one side of the widest part of this chamber and an inlet-port at the opposite side thereof, rotary means carrying aseries of folding diaphragms extending across the fluid-chamber and dividing the same into compartments, and a shaft attached to the rotary means, said diaphragms being longer than the widest part of the fluid-chamber and each consisting' of a pair of leaves hinged together and adapted to fold and unfold as they rotate.

16. ln combination with a spherical casing provided with suitable inlet and outlet ports, a pair of rotatable hemispherical disks fitting' fwithin the casing and arranged at opposite sides thereof and at an angle to each other, an independent rotatable ball fitting and working within concavities formed in the inner faces of said hemispherical disks, and a series of radial folding diaphragms extending across the annular space formed between the edges of said hemispherical disks and thereby dividing the same into fluid-compartments and a power-shaft connected to one of said hemispherical disks.

17. In combination with a casing, provided with suitable inlet and outlet ports, a pair of rotatable disks fitting within the casing at opposite sides thereof and having their axes of rotation and their adjacent edges at an angle to each other, a rotatable part connecting said two disks at their centers and being supported thereon, a series of folding radial diaphragms extending across the annular space formed between the edges of said disks and dividing the same into fluid-compartments and a rotatable power-shaft connected to one of said disks.

18. 1n combination, a rotary part, a shaft attached thereto,a casing inclosing said rotary part and forming an annular fluid-chamber tapering in opposite directions, inlet and exhaust ports, and a series of two-part folding diaphragms carried by the rotary part and adapted to fold and unfold as the rotary part rotates.

s 19. 1n a rotary engine, the combination of rotating disks having abutting conical faces, a rotatable part between said disks, a chamber in which said disks rotate, radial slots in said disks, a diaphragm fitting' in each pair of opposite slots and serving to connect said disks and resting loosely upon said rotatable part and suitable ports in the chamber between the disks.

20. In combination with a chamber provided with suitable inlet and outlet ports, a pair of rotatable hemispherical disks fitting within the chamber and arranged at opposite sides thereof and at an angle to each other an independent rotatable ball fitting and working within concavities formed in the inner faces of said hemispherical disks, and a series of radial diaphragms resting loosely on the ball and extending across the annular space formed between the edges of said liemisi'iherical disks and thereby dividing the same into fluid-coinpartments and a power-shaft connected to one of said hemispherical disks.

Q1. ln combination with achamber, provided with suitable inlet and outlet ports, a pair of rotatable heads or disks litting within the chamber at opposite sides thereof and having their axes of rotation and their adjacent edges at an angle to each other, a rotatable part connecting said two heads at their centers and being supported thereon,a series of spaced radial diaphrag'ms resting loosely on the rotatable part, and extending across the annular space formed between the edges of said heads and dividing the saine into Huid-compartments, and a rotatable power-shaft connected to one of said heads, substantially as set forth.

22. In a device of the class described the combianation of means forming an annular closed concentric fluid-chamber tapering in opposite directions, an exhaust-port at one side of the widest part of this chamber and an inlet-port at the opposite side thereof, rotary means forming part of said Huid-chamber and carrying a series of diaphragms extending across the Huid-chamber and dividing the same into compartments, each of said diaphragms consistingof connected parts adjustable with respect to each other for the purpose set forth, and a shaft attached to the rotary means.

23. 1n a rotary engine,the combination of a easing, a pair of rotating disks therein having conical faces abutting at one point, a shaft connected to one of said disks, a series of blades extending across the fluid-chamber formed between the disks, inlet and exhaust ports, and auxiliary ports adapted to convey steam behind the disks adjacent their point of contact. for the purposes set forth.

24. 1n a rotary engine, the combination of a casing, a pair of rotating disks inclosed therein and having conical abutting faces, a shaft connected to one of the disks, a pair of blades working in slots in the disks and extending across the center to form a diaphragm, and inlet and outlet ports.

25. In a rotary engine, the combination of a casing, a pair of rotary disks therein having abutting' conical faces, inlet and outlet ports,

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a shaft connected to one of the disks, a rotary device interposed between the disks at their centers, and a pair of fiexible blades engaging the slots in said disks and extending across the centers of the disks to forni a diaphragm, said diaphragm embracing the rotary device between the disks.

26. In combination, a casing, a pair of rotating disks inclosed therein and having conical abutting' surfaces, and opposite radial slots, a shaft connected to one of the disks, flexible blades working, in said opposite slots and adapted to slide therein, and means for guiding' said blades, for the purposes set forth.

27. In combination, acasing, apair ofabutting conical disks inclosed therein and provided with opposite radial slots, flexible blades working in said slots, a shaftconnected to one or both of said disks, and means for guiding said blades consisting of annular bearing-surfaces on opposite sides of said casing, for the purpose set forth.

28. In a rotary engine, the combination of a casing, a pair of rotating disks or pistons inclosed in the casing and having bearings-at opposite sides of thesame, these disks having' conical adjacent faces abutting on a radial line, thereby forming an annular oppositelytapering fluid-chamber between said adjacent faces, ports in the casing, and blades carried by the pistons and extending across said fluidchamber.

29. In a rotary engine, the combination of a casing, a pair of rotating disks or pistons inclosed in the casing and having bearings at opposite sides of the same, these disks having conical adjacent faces abutting on a radial line, thereby forming an annular oppositelytapering fluid-chamber between said adjacent faces, ports in the casing, and blades carried by the pistons and extending' across said fluid- .chamber, and a bearing part centrally disposed between the disks.

30. In a rotary engine, the combination of a casing, a pair of rotating disks or pistons inclosed in the casing'andhavingbearings atopposite sides of the same, these disks having conical adjacent faces abutting on a radial line, therebyforniing an annular oppositely-tapering fluid-chamber between said adjacent faces, ports in the casing and blades carried by the pistons and extending across the Huid-chamber, said blades being radially disposed and having a sliding connection with at least one of the disks.

31. In a rotary engine, the combination of a casing, a pair of rotating disks or pistons inclosed in the casingand having bearings atopposite sides of the same, these diskshaving their adjacent faces abutting on a radial line, thereby forming an annular Huid-chamber between said adjacent faces, ports in the casing and blades carried by the pistons and extending across the fluid-chamber, and ports for admitting steam behind said disks.

32. In arotary engine, the combination of a casing provided with ports, a pair of rotating disks or pistons inclosed in the casing and having bearings at opposite sides of the same, and one of the disks being provided with a powershaft, said disks having their axes and their adjacent faces setting at an angle to each other, said adjacent faces being conical so as to form an annular oppositely-tapering fluid-chamber between their adjacent faces, and a series of blades extending across said fiuid chamber and held in constant engagement with the pistons and rotating therewith. i

33. In a rotary engine, the combination of a casing, a pair of rotating disks or pistons inclosed in the casing and having bearings atopposite sides of the same, and one of said disks being provided with a power-shaft, said disks havingtheir adjacent faces and their axes set at an angle to each other, the adjacent faces being conical and abutting on a radial line so as to form an annular oppositely-tapering fluidchamber between them, a rotating part centrally arranged between said pistons,.and a series of radial blades engaging and rotating with the pistons and having engagement with the rotating part and the interior of the casing.

34:. In a rotary engine, the combination of a casing, a pair of rotating disks inclosed therein and having bearings at opposite sides of the casing, the adjacent faces and the axes of said disks being disposed at anangle to each other, a shaft connected to one of the disks, radial blades Working in Opposite slots in the disks' and means for centrally guiding said blades as they rotate.

35. In arotary engine, the combination of a casing provided with ports, a pair of rotating disks journaled in the casing at opposite sides thereof, the adjacent faces and the axes of said disks being disposed at an angle to each other and said adjacent faces being provided with radial slots, radial blades working through said slots, a shaft connected to one of said disks, and means for guiding said blades consisting of bearing-surfaces on the casing behind the disks, for the purpose set forth.

36. In a rotary engine, the combination of a casing provided with ports, a pair of rotating disks journaled in the casing at opposite sides thereof, the adjacent faces and the axes of said disks being disposed at an angle to each other and said adjacent faces being provided with radial slots, radial blades working through said slots, a shaft connected to one of said disks, and means for guiding' said blades consisting of' eccentric guides on opposite 'sides of the casing around the axes of the respective disks.

37. Inarotary engine, the combination of a casing provided with ports, a pair-of rotating disks journaled in the casing at opposite sides thereof, the adjacent faces and the axes of said disks being disposed at an angle to each other IOO and said adjacent faces being provided with radial slots, radial blades Working through said slots, a shaft connected to one of said disks, and means for, guiding said blades consisting of eccentric conical guides on the interior of the casing against which the side edges of the blades Work.

38. In a rotary engine, the combination of a casing, a pair of rotating disks therein having their adjacent faces abutting on a radial line and their axes at an angle to each other, a shaft connected to one of said disks, a series of blades extending across the Huid-chamber formed between the disks, inlet and exhaust ports, and auxiliary ports adapted to convey steam behind the disks adjacent their point of contact.

39. ln a rotary engine, the combination of a casing, a pair of rotating disks inclosed therein and having their adjacent faces abutting on a radial line and their axes at an angle to each other, a shaft connected to one of the disks, a pair of blades Working' in slots in the disks and extending across the center to form a diajgihragni, and inlet and exhaust ports.

40. In combination, a casing, a pair of r0- tating disks inclosed therein having their adjacent faces at an angle to each other and abutting at one point on a radial line, said disks being provided with opposite pairs of slots, a shaft connected to vone of the disks, flexible blades Working in said opposite slots and adapted to slide therein, and means for guiding said blades.

eti. In a rotary engine, the combination of a casing, a pair of rotating disks therein having their adjacent .faces at an angle to each other and abuttingat one point on aradial line, said disks being provided with pairs of opposite slots, a shaft connected to one of said disks, inlet and exhaust ports, and a series of blades extending across the iiuid-chamliier formed between the disks and working in said slots, substantially as set forth.

Signed at Portland, Maine, this 12th day of February, 1903.

LYMAN H. COBB.

litnessesz S. W. BATES, BENJ. WARD. 

